Malware Programs/Topics - Securing Your Computer

This page contains links to programs that assist in keeping your computer
uncontaminated especially while using the Internet.

There are also some links to pages which give advice and further links
to programs or additional information.

Caveats

This list of software can never be exhaustive as the threats change daily in a hostile world.
If anyone has experience of other products, or finds this information is out of date,
then please contact John Steele by email.

Anti Spyware: This program provides protection against a number of threats
associated with advertising and other malware intent on tracking your behaviour.
It has been around for some time and has an excellent reputation.

Anti Spyware: This program identifies and removes a number of spyware threats from your computer.

This has often found items missed by Ad-Aware and vice versa.

A Google search for Spybot frequently returns links to other sites, some of which offer downloads which ADD spyware rather than removing it. The link here is believed to be the correct one.Link updated 6 Nov 2007John Steelegxcc.techsupportsoroban.co.ukAvast!http://www.avast.com/en-gb/free-antivirus-download

Antivirus: A free (for non commercial use) antivirus package with a good reputation.
It has all the features one would expect including automatic updates, email integration, etc.

The product has just been updated to version 5.

I STRONGLY recommend this antivirus package. I use this package on all my own
computers and have found it to be reliable, and has little impact on machine performance.

The new version will install over an existing installation of Avast version 4 and seems to extend registration for 12 months. I have not yet tried to register the new version but expect the process to be similar to the previous version.

There was a warning that the free program was being withdrawn but this has not happened. It is still a viable choice. I still have a preference for Avast!

Note that two people have had problems installing the final free version
leading to difficulties in uninstallingUpdated 21 Jan 2011John Steelegxcc.techsupportsoroban.co.ukPC Tools Firewallhttp://www.pctools.com/firewall/

This now my current recommended Firewall. It works for Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit) and Vista.

Installation is straightforward and it offers an "expert" and "normal" user mode. The dirrerence being in the level of prompting when new software is being installed. I use the Expert Mofe but find that the level of prompts for permission are easy to understand (user feedback welcome).

This firewall does not produce the invalid blocking that has been observed with Sunbelt. It also scores much more highly on the firewall tests.

This Firewall has not been maintained for some time and a new version is promised soon. It does NOT work with Windows 7. Although not seen as a major issue for those of us behind ADSL routers it now scores relatively badly on the independant firewll tests compared with the PC Tools Firewall which is now my recommendadation.

I am replacing this firewall on all of my machines (Vista and XP) at home with PC Tools Firewall.Modified on 22 Jan 2010.John Steelegxcc.techsupportsoroban.co.ukZoneAlarmhttp://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/zonealarm_free_firewall.jsp

This was the probably the first free firewall and is still one of the leaders in this field.
I do not use it myself but there are club members who do.

Advice and Further Links

This page gives advice as to which programs to avoid.
The overall Spyware Warrior web site gives sound advice. The following is a quote from their site:

"Rogue/Suspect" means that these products are of unknown, questionable,
or dubious value as anti-spyware protection. Some of the products listed on this page
simply do not provide proven, reliable anti-spyware protection. Others may use unfair, deceptive,
high pressure sales tactics and false positives to scare up sales from gullible, confused users.
A very few of these products are either associated with known distributors of spyware/adware
or have been known to install spyware/adware themselves.Users are advised to rely on the short list of Trustworthy Anti-Spyware Products
with deserved reputations for quality performance.John Steelegxcc.techsupportsoroban.co.ukTrustworthy Anti-Spyware Products & Web Siteshttp://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#trustworthy

Advice and Further Links

This page gives advice as to which programs to select.
The overall Spyware Warrior web site gives sound advice. The following is a quote from their site:

When choosing anti-spyware protection, you should rely on products
with deserved reputations and proven track records. That means avoiding
the new and unknown, and not succumbing to impulse buys of anti-spyware
products that you see on the Net, esp. those included in the "rogue/suspect" l
ist on this page or advertised on Google.John Steelegxcc.techsupportsoroban.co.uk